Infant-feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

An infant-feeding container and cap assembly suitable for assembling by machine and having an insert positioned within the nipple to seal the contents of the container from contact with the nipple during storage with the cap engaging the nipple. In sealed condition, the cap depresses the nipple, which reassumes an erect position upon removal of the cap, thereby unsealing the contents of the container. Means are provided for positively causing the nipple to assume such erect position, exemplified by adhesive on the interior of the cap to assist in orienting the nipple for use or a removable member which pulls a feeding portion of the nipple into a usable position upon removal of the cap from the container.

United States Patent [72] inventor Gene Ballin 3045 Shore Drive,Merrick, L.I., NY. 11566 [21] Appl. No. 801,916

[22] Filed Jan. 31, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Continuation-impartof application Ser. No. 658,933, Aug. 7, 1967, Patent No. 3,468,445,dated Sept. 23, 1969, which is a continuation-in-part of applicationSer. No. 550,809, May 17 1966, Patent No.

- 3,339,771, dated Sept. 5, 1967, and a continuation-impart of 728,191,May 10, 1968, abandoned.

[54] INFANT-FEEDING APPARATUS Primary Examiner--Donald F. NortonAttorney-Darby and Darby ABSTRACT: An infant-feeding container and capassembly suitable for assembling by machine and having an insertpositioned within the nipple to seal the contents of the container fromcontact with the nipple during storage with the cap engaging the nipple.ln sealed condition, the cap depresses the nipple, which reassumes anerect position upon removal of the cap, thereby unsealing the contentsof the container. Means are provided for positively causing the nippleto assume such erect position, exemplified by adhesive on the interiorof the cap to assist in orienting the nipple for use or a removablemember which pulls a feeding portion of the nipple into a usableposition upon removal of the cap from the container.

PATENTEDHARIBYI 3.567.0 0

IINVENTOR GENE BALLIN EMF F ATTORN YS PATENTEUNAR 21971 3561060 sum 2[1F 5 INVENTOR GENE BALLIN ATTORNEYS PAT ENTED MR 2 |97| SHEET 3 OF 5FIG. 11

FIG. 12

INVENTOR GENE; BALLIN BY AT ORNEYS PATENTEDIAR 21971 3:5 7; 050

su muors i 22? "ll-Ill";

i I I F I lllll lllllllllll 'lk gllllml INVENTOR GENE BALLIN 0L mafi'ORNEYS PATENTED MAR 215m SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR l INFANT-FEEDINGAPPARATUS This is a continuationimpart application of both: patentapplication Ser. No. 658,933, filed Aug. 7, 1967, andnow U.S.

Pat. No. 3,468,445, which issued Sept. 23, 1969 andwhichinConventionally, one form of infant-feeding bottleand cap has a nipple onone end anda cap for maintaining the nipple in sealed position on thetop of the bottle. Various methods heretofore have been used to maintainthe bottle andnipple in a sterile condition prior to use, such as' byplacing the nipple in inverted position in the bottle, so that thenipple extends into the interior of the bottle, and then coveringthereversed nipple with a flat plate or disc. A capis usedto maintain theseal until the bottle isready to be used. In use, the cap is removed,the plate is taken off, and the riippleis carefully removed from thebottle and turned over; the cap is replaced around the nipple andfastened on the bottle to seal the underside of the flange of the nippletothe top of thebottle to preventleakage. While this construction offersadvantages of being able to presterilize the interior andcontents of thecontainer, tomaintain such sterilizatioii care has to be taken inremoving and reversing the nipple just prior to use, or else the sterilecondition is destroyed.

Another prior-art construction has utilized a nipple cover which fittedover the erect nipple portion after sterilization to maintain it insterile condition until ready to be used. This construction offeredserious disadvantages in that the cover had to be sterilized separatelyand often was not put on cor rectly or, if put on correctly, it wasdifficult to remove.

Another disadvantage has been that in storage and transit from producerto user, the contents were permitted to be in contact with the nipplemateriaLoften leading to spoilage or contamination of the contents.

Attempts have been made heretofore to prebottle feedingformula forinfants in infant feeding containers in sterile condition, so that theinfant feeding containers or bottles are ready to be used and hence thenecessity of individual mixing of ingredients to prepare formula for a.day, or sterilizing the filled containers or bottles, is avoided. Onemethod of doing this is shown in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,221 issuedNov.

23, 1965. In my copending application Ser. No. 658,933, filed Aug. 7, 1967, a cap assembly for a feeding container i's disclosed which can bemachine-assembled with a container of prepackaged infant-feeding formulain sterilized condition, which can be maintained until the bottle isready to be used,

and with the container requiring the minimum amount of time unittogether with an exterior cap, so that the entire unit can be assembledon a bottle in asingle operation, while the bottle, cap assembly andcontents are being sterilized; The bottle is ready to be used by simplyremoving'the exterior capassembly and allowing the nipple to spring intoan erect position ready for use without impairment of sterility. Whilethe cap assembly just described has improved characteristics over theprior art, in certain situations it has been found that after a periodof storage the nipple does not consistently spring free in the desiredmanner, sometimes requiring the user to actually grasp the nipple, thusimpairing the sterility of the unit. This generally occurs with use ofcertain lower-cost nipple materials, thereby requiring the use of a moreexpensive nipple than is desirablefor a disposable unit-,- to obtaingreater resiliency life toovercom'e this problem. In addition, when thecenter depression of the insert hasa small diameter, as when used with anarrow-mouth bottle, there is a tendency for the nipple to be trapped byfriction within the depression arid thus itis prevented from risingupwardly by its own resilience.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved low-cost cap assembly for an infant-feeding container which canbe machine-assembled with a container of prepackaged instant feedingformula in sterilized conditionand which when opened consistentlypresents the user with a nipplein an erect usable position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nipple assembly for usewith a container and cap structure and including a nipple insert forsealing the contents of the container,

thereby preventing contamination of these contents and of the nipple.

A further object is to provide means for positively urging the nipple ofthe above construction into a usable position.

.These urging means include either an adhesive material secured to theinterior of the cap structure, and in removable contact with the nipple,or a removable member having depending legs which frictionally removablyengage the nipple.

Yet another object is to provide a member, as above, which may also beused as a reusable cover and which provides either temporary orrelatively permanent protection for the contents of the container andthe nipple against contaminatiori.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a method andapparatus for assembling the above cap assembly and placing it on abottle or other container.

The present invention fulfills the above objects and overcomes thelimitations and disadvantages of prior-art solutions toproblemsaffecting infant-feeding apparatus by providing, according to one aspectof the invention, a cap assembly, as described in mycopendingapplication Ser. No. 658,933, for usewith an infant-feeding container.The cap assembly contains an outer metal or plastic protective cap ofany desired type, such as a ripcap cap or a screw-on cap, which sealsthe entire unit to the container. Affixed to the interior of the eii'terior cap and incontact with the compressed nipple during" storage isan adhesive material which may be either in the form ofa strip affixedto the cap or which may be directly applied to the cap without asupporting web. The adhesive joins the nipple and the cap duringassembly of the unit and is nondegradable during steam sterilization. Inaddition, the adhe sive is selected so that the nipple may separate fromit'without' removal or either the adhesive or the strip from the cap.When the outer cap is strippedaway during preparation of the containerfor use, any residual tendency on the part of the nipple to remain inits compressed position is overcome by the outer cap which, by means oftheadhesive material, pulls the nipple upwardly up'on removal of thecap. The remainder of the tear strip is then fully removed from thecontainer, breaking the adhesive contact with the nipple and presentingthe container ready for use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the means by whichthe nipple is urged into an erect or usable position'iricludes aprotective shell disposed between the nipple and the exterior capstructure, when assembled. This shell includes a plurality of dependinglegs which form adownwardly converging truncated cone and which extendbetween the folds of the upper feeding portion and the baseflaredportion of the nipple when in place upon the container. The shellcauses the nip'ple'to collapse into a stored position when in place onthe container, surrounding the otherwise exposed portions of the nippleand thereby protecting it. When removed from the container, the legs ofthis shell frictionally urge the nipple from the stored position to theerect or usable position. The shell when on the container, furthercauses a nipple insert disposed within the nipple base flared portion toengage the mouth of the container, thereby sealing the contents of thecontainer until the shell is removed.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention together with theaccompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denotesimilar elements throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the several parts of one formof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the partiallyassembled cap, nipple and bottle of FIG. 1 at an early stage ofassembly;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the fullyassembled container and cap assembly according to the form of theinvention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectionalelevational view of the container andcap assembly of FIG. 1 with the outer cap partially removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of one form of the outercap shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of amodified container and cap assembly construction, after the cap has beenremoved;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of another embodimentof a container and cap assembly fully assembled;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the container andcap assembly of FIG. 7, with the exterior cap removed;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the nipple insert of thecontainer unit of FIG. 7;

FIG 10 is a perspective view showing the interior of a modified form ofthe outer cap of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the several components ofanother embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the components ofFIG. 11 partially assembled;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the -componentsof FIG. 11 fully assembled;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional'elevational view of the embodiment ofFIG. 11 after the exterior cap has been removed and illustrating theresult of removing the shell member of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of components ofassembly apparatus according to this invention viewed along the line15-15 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the components ofFIG. 15 at a further stage of their assembly cycle;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view ofaportion of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view viewed along theline 18-18 of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a partial fragmentary sectional elevational view taken alongthe line 19-19 of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 20 is a plan view of assembly apparatus and illustrates threeassembly stations of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference character 10 generallydesignates a bottle or other type of container or vessel with which acap assembly 11 constructed in accordance with the present invention maybe used. Bottle 10 has a general configuration similar to theconventional infant-feeding bottle heretofore used and has a mouth 12 atits top.

Bottle 10 contains a liquid 13 which may be milk or any other formulaprescribed for infant feeding. The bottle 10 is provided with a neck 16having an outwardly extending exterior flange 14. Neck 16 terminates ina reduced diameter mouth 12. An annular shoulder 17 is provided aroundmouth 12. Shoulder 17 has a flat annular surface 20 and a beveledsurface 20a exterior of the flat surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a flexible nipple 21 formed of the customarysoft rubber or like material is to be mounted on mouth 21. Nipple 21includes integral upper feeding and base flared portions. The bottomedge of nipple 21 contains an inwardly extending flange 22. Flange 22 isprovided with an annular recess 23 formed in its bottommost surfaceadjacent the exterior wall of the nipple. The lower side 18 of flange 22inwardly of recess 23 is beveled upwardly at 23a. An outwardly extendingskirt 24 extends circumferentially around the peripheral surface ofnipple 21 and is located slightly above the level of lower nipple flange22. Nipple 21 is also provided with at least one opening 25 at its topcenter for release of the fluid contents of the bottle during use.

The cap assembly 11 includes a rip-type cap 26 having a verticalsidewall 27. Cap 26 is provided with a tear-away tab 28 which, afterassembly, can be easily removed, thereby permitting removal of theentire cap 26. Cap 26 may be made of any of the conventional materialsused for a rip-away cap such as aluminum. Screw-on, tear-band or othertypes of caps may also be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, affixed to the interior of the rip-type cap is apair of strips 26 a, each having an adhesive surface 26b facing theinterior of the cap. These strips are preferably aligned in such amanner as to be on opposite sides of openings 25 in nipple 21 when theexterior cap is in place. Although a pair of adhesive strips are shown,any suitable adhesive pattern such as a single strip or an annulus maybe used that preferably does not cover the openings 25 in nipple 21. Inaddition, the adhesive may be directly applied to the cap without theuse of a supporting web, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The adhesive usedfor direct application to the cap preferably possesses a greatercohesive strength and a stronger bond to the cap than the bond to thenipple, to insure complete stripping of the adhesive from the nipple.

A suitable nontoxic, pressure sensitive adhesive 26b is used for thesurface of strips 260 in contact with the nipple so that no harm canresult to an infant using the bottle in the event a small residue shouldremain on the nipple after removal of the exterior cap. Ordinarypressure-sensitive adhesive is suitable, but more desirably suchadhesives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use withfood containers are used. One such adhesive is known as Polystixit 1578,made by Adhesive Products Corporation of New York City. In addition, theadhesive should be capable of withstanding heat 7 since the entire unitis steam-sterilized during assembly.

An adhesive or other fastening or bonding means is used to secure strips26a to the interior of the exterior cap to insure that the bond betweenthe adhesive strip and the nipple is severed before severence of thebond between the exterior cap and the adhesive strip. The adhesivestrips 26a are stronger than the bond between the nipple and the strips,so that strips 260 are not torn or destroyed in use.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the cap assembly is in place, theadhesive strips 26a adhere to the nipple. Proper placement of the stripswill insure that adhesion occurs between the cap and the nipple duringnormal assembly of the cap assembly on the bottle.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the interior top surface of flange 22forms a shelflike portion 22a. Coaxially located within nipple 21 andresting on shelf 224 is a nipple diaphragm insert 29.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, insert 29 is provided at itsperiphery with a plurality of closely spaced downwardly extending legs30. At the base of each leg 30 is one or more inwardly extending feet31. Feet 31 rests on surface 22a of inner flange 22 of the nipple whenthe unit is assembled. Although the preferred embodiment of insert 29includes legs 30, it is possible to use an unperforated sidewall and toprovide perforations near the intersection of the sidewall and thehorizontal surface of the insert. The center of insert 29 is furtherprovided with a depression 32 which is designed to receive the collapsednipple, as will be explained in detail below. Insert 29 is made ofplastic or any other suitable material which will not deform or degradewhen subjected to sterilizing temperatures and which will be nonreactivewith the contents of bottle 10. It may readily be molded from powderedmaterial or punched and heat-formed from sheet material.

In operation insert 29 is preinstalled in nipple 21 so that feet 31 reston ledge 22a. This is facilitated by the slope 23a on the inward flange22 and the slope 30a on the legs 30 of the insert 29. The insert willslightly spread the base of the nipple into an open position and retainit in such open position during later assembly to facilitate placementover the mouth of a container vessel. As shown in FIG. 2 the entirenipple and insert subassembly is then forced into exterior cap 26 and isretained in position by frictional engagement of skirt 24 with theinterior wall 27 of the cap and suction formed by the entire nipplewithin the cap. Nipple 21 will at this time also be pressed againstadhesive strips 26a thereby adapting the nipple for later removal. Theentire cap assembly may then'be sterilized prior to being placed on thebottle. The cap assembly is then placed over the mouth of the bottle inthe position shown in FIG. 2 with slanted surface 23a of the nippleresting on slanted surface 20a of the mouth. Further pressure on the capforces both flange 22a and legs 30 to spread outwardly beyond annularshoulder 17, after which further pressure releases them from shoulder 17and they enter into recess 17a formed at the mouth of the bottle betweenflange l4 and shoulder 17 as.

shown in FIG. 3. Annular recess 23 provided in the base of flange 22 ofthe nipple permits the flange 22 to bend upwardly and inwardly inpassing around shoulder 17 provided on the exterior of the mouth of thebottle. In addition, the recess 23 facilitates a tight-sealingrelationship between the base of the nipple and the sloping surface offlange 14 against which its rests. The downward pressure exerted on theexterior cap 26 also forces nipple 21 downwardly against diaphragm 29 asin FIG. 3, collapsing the nipple into depression 32 and thereby pressingthe unperforated portion 29a of the diaphragm 29, interior of legs 30,against flat surface 20 of the bottle. A sea] is thereby formed,preventing any of the contents of the bottle from passing between thesurface 29a of insert 29 and surface 20 of the bottle mouth. After thedownward pressure is completed, a crimp is formed. in the base ofvertical wall 27 of the cap to retain the cap assembly in position.

Where desired, the sequence of assembly of the cap assembly unit may bemodified, as described below. The nipple may be first inserted in thecap, and thereafter the diaphragm insert is placed within the nipple,after which the cap assembly is placed in position as just described.

Skirt 24 on nipple 21 which assisted in holding the unit together duringthe assembly of the cap unit, acts as an additional seal after assemblyof the cap on the bottle to prevent the entry of contaminants into thecap, thereby protecting the nipple and contents during storage. The sealthus formed prevents leakage of the contents or of vapor formed duringthe sterilization processing, and also prevents entry of unsterile orpossibly contaminated air into the cap assembly until the cap is removedwhen the container is ready to be used. In addition, diaphragm insert 29in the sealed position shown in FIG. 3 prevents contact between thebottle contents and nipple, thereby preventing deterioration of thenipple by contact with the milk or other stored material, and avoidingpossible degradation of the stored material after prolonged periods ofstorage.

Sterilization is preferably performed during assembly. A

.blast of steam issupplied into the open mouth of the bottle just withinthe container.

Depending upon the location of the apertures in the nipple at its top,the steam may also enter the space between the cap and the nipple,thereby also sterilizing the outer surface of the nipple. However, toassure such sterilization even should the nipple apertures be blocked bythe cap during assembly of the nipple into the cap, afew drops of watermay preferably be injected into the space between the cap and nipple.After assembly of the cap unit on the bottle mouth, the entire sealedcontainer is then subjected to a terminal sterilization, for example, byheating to about 240 F. for about 20 to 25 minutes. This serves toconvert the drops of water into steam in the space between cap andnipple, completing any sterilization left incomplete previously.

. or cap 26. As cap 26 is removed, tear strip 28 and adhesive FIG. 4shows how to utilize the container and contents. Cap 26 need merely beremoved, which is done by ripping away tear strip 28, which will, inturn, permit removal of the exteristrips 26a are raised, thereby pullingnipple 25 upwardly and adding to the natural resiliency of the nipplewhich causes it to spring upwardly. Tear strip 28 is provided with asufficient width over the nipple to allow the nipple to clear the capbefore the cap 26 is totally removed. The curving arc of the tear strip28. tends to reduce the amount of any possible adhesive residueremaining on the nipple.

Upon removal of cap 26 the upward movement of the nipple 21 releasesdiaphragm insert 29 which also moves upwardly because of the resiliencyof nipple flange 22 thereby exposing passages 33 between legs 30.

Annular flange 22, having been compressed downwardly by the cap and bentupwardly along groove 23, will also assist the nipple in assuming itsextended position by springing back to its normal position. In addition,flange 22 will carry diaphragm 29 upwardly until feet 31 abut the bottomsurface of shoulder 17, forming a space between surface 20 of the bottleand surface 29a of the insert. In this way, the: nipple flang'e 22effectively retains the feet 31 forming the edge of the diaphragm insert29, with the apertures 33 communicating with both the interior of thenipple and the interior of the bottle. The milk or other materialcontained within the bottle will then pass through openings 33 into thenipple, where it may be utilized by the infant in a normal manner.Annular surface 290 of diaphragm 29 preferably is located sufficientlyabove shoulder 20 so as to prevent clogging of the passage area betweenthe two by the liquid being used to feed the infant. Since there is nonecessity to touch the nipple or any portion of the interior of thebottle in the preparation for use, no contamination of either results.

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of construction. I-Iere nipple flange 124is sloped, to facilitate assembly with he cap 26. Also, the inner edgesof insert diaphragm feet 31 are rounded, as at 42. The nipple flangegroove 23 is omitted, and an annular groove 123 is provided at thecorner where the nipple flange 22 meets its sidewall. The feet 31 ofdiaphragm 29 are similarly provided with a ridge 125 mating with groove123, so as to resist pulling the nipple out after the cap is removed.This improves the seal at the shoulder 17 of the bottle. Circumferentialridges 44 may be added to the underside of nipple 21 opposite the edgeof the imperfor'ate center section of diaphragm 132 to aid insealingwhen the cap is in place. Similar ridges 46 may be added to the undersurface of the diaphragm opposite the top of the bottle mouth.

It will be understood that the nipple 21 of FIG. 6 has its flange 122normally extending flatly inward, as with flange 22 in FIG. 2. However,after mounting on the bottle, mouth, which requires stretching of bothnipple 21 and insert 132, the resiliency of those elements forces flange122 upwardly along the curved bottle shoulder 114 into the space betweenthe insert flange at 42 and the bottle, as shown at 43. This also helpsretain the nipple on the bottle. In addition, nipple flange 122 isprovided with at least two grooves extending radially inwardly, onebeing shown at 41. These grooves 41 are nonsymmetrically disposed, sothat at least one will be aligned with anotch 33between two legs 30 ofdiaphragm insert 132. Such grooves provide vents for air to enter thebottle when the contents are being sucked out by the user. An exteriorcap of similar configuration to cap 26 is employed with this embodimentand is also provided with adhesive strips 16a.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10.Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, flange 150 of nipple 151 issloped to facilitate machine assembly with outer cap 152. Insert 153(shown in FIG. 9) is provided with a pair of inwardly extending lugs 154at the base of each of legs 155. The use of lugs, rather than completeflanges, facilitates assembly of the insert onto the bottle mouth bymachine with minimum distortion of the insert. Insert 153 is furtherprovided with a narrower and deeper depression 156, than the embodimentof FIG. 1, to permit use with a narrow mouth bottle. A plurality ofinwardly and downwardly extending grooves 165 are provided around theinterior of depression 156 to prevent the formation of suction when thenipple 151 is depressed as shown in FIG. 7. The grooves 165 permit airto enter the space adjacent the nipple thereby preventing formation ofundesirable suction and entrapment of the nipple in the depression.Reinforcing ribs 157 are spaced around the exterior perimeter of theinsert to assistin maintaining dimensional stability at sterilizationtemperatures and to keep the insert centered in the container mouth.

Nipple 151 is provided with a circumferential arc 158 of increasedthickness located so as to lie adjacent to the shoulder 164 of theinsert when the insert and nipple are in their sealed position. Are 158assists in the expulsion of the nipple from the depression when theouter cap is removed for use. The nipple is also provided with a recess159 closely adjacent to the interior of the sidewall in which lugs 154rest after assembly. The nipple is further provided with at least a pairof grooves 160 extending radially inwardly and located asymmetricallyaround the circumference of the nipple so that at least one groove liesbetween legs 155 of the insert. The grooves permit air to replace thecontents of the bottle as they are expelled, in a manner similar to thatdescribed for grooves 41 of F IG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, an outer tear-type cap 152 is provided withan annulus of adhesive 162 located around the sides of a nipple-coveringwell 161 located in the center of the cap. The adhesive material has agreater bond to the cap and greater cohesive strength than the strengthof the bond between the adhesive and the nipple to prevent any of theadhesive from remaining on the nipple after removal. Although an annulusis shown, any desired pattern may be employed.

As shown in FIG. 8, after removal of the outer cap, the nipple 151 ispulled by the adhesive material within the outer cap and by its ownnatural resiliency into its raised or usable position, permittingpassage of the contents of the bottle through the area 163 along the topof the bottle and then through passages 164 between legs 155.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 14, yet another embodiment of the presentinvention is shown wherein means other than the previously describedadhesive is used to positively urge the nipple of a cap assembly into anerect or usable position. FIG. 11 shows the bottle or container 10, theflexible nipple 21 and the rip-type cap 26 already described for theembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. A cap assemblydesignated numeral 200 includes nipple 21, rip-type cap 26, a shell orcover member 201, and a nipple diaphragm insert 216. Nipple 21 includesa breast or feeding portion 212 integrally formed with a base flaredportion 213 having an open end, portions 212 and 213 meeting inrelatively smooth transitioned neck 214.

Cover 201 is preferably made from plastic by an injection moldingprocess and includes a planar top portion 202 having an upper surface203 and a lower surface 204. Cover 201 is further formed with adepending generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion 205 integralwith top portion 202 and terminating at its lower end in an annular edge206. Edge 206 is formed by an inwardly extending beveled surface 207 andthe outer surface of wall portion 205, as shown in FIG. 14.

Cover 201 serves the dual purpose of being means for urging nipple 21into an erect or usable position after ripcap 26 is removed, as well asbeing a reusable protective sealing cap which, when reapplied to thebottle mouth, will prevent contamination of the nipple and bottlecontents.

Cover 201 further includes a plurality of depending legs 208 which areintegral with top portion 202 and which extend downwardly in aconverging configuration. Legs 208 are spaced from one another at theirrespective lower ends, each having inner and outer surfaces 209 and 210,respectively. The junction of the inner surfaces 209 with lower surface204 of top portion 202 defines a generally circular area 211 of lowersurface 204, the diameter of circular area 211 being slightly largerthan upper feeding portion 212 of flexible nipple 21. Top portion 202 isfurther formed with two holes 215 therethrough, although any number ofholes may be provided. Holes 215 are disposed adjacent legs 208 andoutside circular area 211, thereby permitting the flow of air throughtop portion 202 from the space within peripheral wall portion 205 andyet without the space bounded by depending legs 208 and area 211.

Legs 208 are each preferably initially straight in an unstressedcondition and of a thickness which permits their being resilientlydeformed radially. Legs 208 terminate in a substantially horizontalplane which lies above and is substantially parallel with respect to aplane defined by annular edge 206 of peripheral wall portion 205. Theouter surface of cover 201 matingly conforms with the interior surfaceof ripcap 206 such that cover 201 may be snugly inserted and held withinthe ripcap as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

A nipple diaphragm insert 216 is shown in FIG. 11 provided at itsperiphery with a plurality of closely spaced downwardly extending legs155, each leg terminating with a pair of inwardly extending lugs 154.Nipple diaphragm insert 216 is substantially identical in all respectsto insert 153 already described for FIGS. 8 and 9.

Describing now the interrelationship between nipple 21 and cover 201during the assembly of the nipple 21 and its insert 216 into the coverat station II of FIG. 20, upper feeding portion 212 with its hole 25first engages circular area 211 when the cover and nipple are coaxiallybrought together. Upon moving of nipple 21 and cover 201 furthertogether, nipple 21 collapses and folds at its neck 214. During thiscollapsing and folding, inner surfaces 209 and legs 208 surround andengage the outer surface of upper feeding portion 212 and, together withthe legs, are moved into insert depression 218. Further movement of legs208 and upper feeding portion 212 into insert depression 218 results inthe outer surfaces 210 of legs 208 engaging the outer surfaces of baseflared portion 213 of nipple 21 which, in turn, deformably collapsesinto depression 218. In the assembled condition shown in FIG. 12, leg208 extends into the fold defined by the outer surfaces of feedingportion 212, neck 214, and base flared portion 213. It is during thiscollapsing of nipple 21 during its assembly into cover 201 that legs 208are slightly deformed as a result of bearing pressure by the nipplesurfaces against inner and outer surfaces 209 and 210. FIG. 18 similarlyshows cap assembly 200 in its assembled condition.

FIG. 12 shows cap assembly 200 assembled, the assembly beingaccomplished by machine apparatus to be described in more detail below.

Describing now the mounting of cap assembly 200 onto the mouth ofcontainer 10 after both have been sterilized, a slanted surface 217 ofnipple 21 first engages and rests upon slanted surface 200 of the mouth12 of container 10. Downward pressure on cap 26 forces each of the lugs154 and legs to spread outwardly beyond annular shoulder 17 of container10. Still further downward pressure upon cap 26 causes lugs 154 toreleasably pass shoulder 17 and to enter into recess 17a formed at themouth of the bottle between flange 14 and shoulder 17, as shown in FIG.3. This downward pressure exerted on the exterior cap 26 forces nipple21 downwardly against nipple diaphragm insert 216, thereby collapsingthe nipple into insert depression 218 and causing an unperforatedportion 219 of insert 216 to be pressed against flat surfaces 20 of thebottle. A seal is thereby formed, preventing the contents of the bottleform passing between the unperforated portion 219 of insert 216 and thesurface 20 of the bottle mouth. After the downward pressure against thecap 226 has been completed, a crimp 220is formed in the base of verticalwall 27 of the cap 26 to retain cap assembly 200 in the position shownin FIG. 13.

After cap assembly 200 has been secured by crimp 220 as shown in FIG.13, further sterilization of container and cap assembly 200 results inlegs 208 taking on a new permanent deformed shape, the permanence of thenew shape resulting from a'settingof the plastic leg material as thesterilization temperatures. This heat-setting of legs 208 in their newshape adds a desirable gripping feature between legs 208 and upperfeeding portion 212, as will be seen below in the description of FIG.14.

FIG. 14 illustrates the removal of cover 201 from container 10 afterripcap 26 has been removed. It is to be noted that after the removal ofripcap 26 and prior to the removal of cover 201, the nipple, insert andbottle contents are held in the same sealed and no'ncontaminatedcondition shown in FIG. 13 as a result of cover 201 overlying the entiremouth portion of bottle or container 10. Upward movement of cover 201 inthe direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 14 results in an upwardpulling of nipple upper feeding portion 212 by legs 208 which have beendeformed into a tighter gripping relationship with the outer surfaces ofupper feeding portion 212. While this additional gripping resulting fromheat-setting of legs 208 is desirable, it is not necessary foroperability of this invention. 1 7

Still further upward movement of cover 201 away from mouth 12 ofcontainer 10 will result in nipple 21 assuming a fully erect and usableposition, with cover 201 disengaging upper feeding portion 212 andthereafter being discardable or reusable, as desired. The presence ofholes 215 throughtop portion 202 of cover 201 permit the flow of airfrom the atmosphere through these holes into the space bounded by theinterior of peripheral wall portion 205, the portions of lower surface204 external of circular area 211, and the external surfaces of nipple21. This permissible flow of air eliminates undesirable vacuum forceswhich may retard or prevent the removal of cover 201 from container 10.The user of the cap assembly and bottle is thus permitted to simplygrasp the peripheral wall portion 205 of cover 201 in one hand with thecontainer 10 in the other hand and simply separate the two, nipple 21being caused to assume an erect or usable position when this is done.

A principal advantage of the infant-feeding apparatus already describedis its adaptability to bemachine assembled in an automatic mannerwithout substantial manual labor, costs and contamination of the partsas a result of handling. FIGS. 15-20 illustrate apparatus according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention which simply and rapidlyassembles the elements of cap assembly 200. FIG. 15 shows a plate member225 extending between a nipple seat member 226 and an insert plungermember 227. Plate member 225 is mounted for rotation within a horizontalzone and is formed with a depending generally cylindrical tube portion228 which terminates at its lower end in an annular bearing surfaced229. A split bronze funnel member 230 having a relatively flat flange231 is secured, such as by welding or brazing, to the upper surface ofplate member 225 such that depending and converging fingers 232 extendinto the confines of tube portion 228 The lowermost ends of fingers 232terminate in a plane which is at an elevation above a plane defined bybearing surface 229. Fingers 232 are resilient and radially deformable.The overall converging shape of fingers 232 of funnel member 230 definean entrance portion 233.

FIG. illustrates the generally circular configuration of plate member225 and illustrates the location of three stations or positions I, IIand III, each of which represents a location where a specific assemblyoperation isto be performed. FIG. 15 illustrates the assembly operationperformed at station I; FIG. 18 illustrates the assembly operationperformed at station II; and FIG. 19 illustrates the assembly operationperformed at station III. a

Looking once again at FIG. 15, nipple seat member 226 is shown toinclude a generally cylindrical body portion 234 terminating at itsupper end in an annular bearing surface 235. Body portion 234 is formedwith a counterbored cavity 236 defined by larger diameter wall portion237, conical surface 238, and smaller diameter wall portion 239. Thediameter of wall portion 239 is larger than that of the upper feedingportion 212 of nipple 21. Thus, upon placement of nipple 21 into thecavity 236 of nipple seat member 226 in an inverted position, upperfeeding portion 212 and base flared portion 213 will extend into cavity236. Further movement of the nipple into cavity 236 is prevented by theabutment of nipple skirt 24 against bearing surface 235. In the positionshown in FIG. 15, nipple seat member 226 holds nipple 21 preparatory toinsertion of nipple diaphragm insert 216 to be described below.

Insert plunger member 227 includes a downwardly extending tube 240supported by a plunger body portion 241 which, in turn, is supportedupon a shaft 242. Shaft 242 and nipple seat member 226 are each movablevertically and coaxially with respect to each other, and coaxially withrespect to tube portion 228 of funnel member 230. Reinforcing ribs 157of nipple diaphragm insert 216 are frictionally held by an annular edge243 of tube 240.

The assembly operation of station I includes nipple seat member 226moving upwardly towardl plate member 225 until bearing surfaces 235 and229 compress" and sandwich skirt 24 of nipple 21 therebetween. In thisposition, the base of nipple 21 is preventedjfrom contracting and isheld such that the bottommost portions of fingers 232 extend into thebase as shown in FIG. 16. Thereafter, insert plunger member 227 which isholding insert 216, is moved downwardly, moving insert 216 throughentrance portion 233 of funnel member 230 until the outer surfaces oflegs engage the inner surfaces of finger 232. Further downward movementof insert plunger member 227 and insert 216 results in a forced radialspreading of fingers 232 and thus a spreading of the base of nipple 21until insert 216 is positioned with the bottom tips of fingers 232disposed and held between the base of nipple 21 and the outer surfacesof the legs 155 of insert 216. Nipple seat member 226 is then retractedto the position shown in FIG. 15, and insert plunger member 227 is ableto retract to its former position. The insertion of the legs 155 intothe base of nipple 21 secures the insert sufficiently to resist upwardmovement of the insert as the result of friction between the inner wallof tube 240 and reinforcing ribs 157, permitting tube 240 to disengagefrom ribs 157. At this point in the overall leap assembly operationplate 225 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 20 untilthe funnel member-held nipple and insert are located at station ll.

At station II, plate 225 has rotated until the nipple and insert held bybronze fingers 232 coaxially overlie a cap seat member 244 movablymounted upon a shaft 245. The phantom outline shown in FIG. 18represents the initial position of top seat member 244, where it isholding cap structure 26 and cover 201 mounted within the cap structure.A cavity 246 formed within cap seat member 244 has a diameter largeenough to accommodate" cap structure: 26 with cover 201. Cap seat member244 is movable vertically and coaxially with respect to tube portion 228when the latter is at station II.

In operation,cap seat member containing cap 26 and cover 201 is causedto move upwardly until the upper feeding portion 212 of nipple 21 entersthe space within legs 208 of cover 201 and engages circular area 211.Further upward movement of cap seat member 244 results in the collapsingmovement of nipple 21, as already described, with a resulting uniting ofthe cap 26, the cover 201, the nipple 21 and insert 216 into an assemblydesignated cap assembly 200. Once assembled as shown in FIG. 18, capseat member 244 returns to the position shown in phantom, leaving capassembly 200 still supported by the depending fingers 232 of funnelmember 230.

At this point in the overall assembly operation of cap assembly 200,plate 225 again rotates until tube portion 228 is located at stationIII. At station III, cap assembly 200 is removed from the grip offingers 232 by means of a pusher member 247, which moves from itsinitial position shown in phantom outline in FIG. 19 to the full lineposition shown, engaging insert 216 and forcing or pushing cap assembly200 free of the grip of fingers 232. Cap assembly 200 drops due togravity to suitable conveyor means or the like, to be later mounted upona container or bottle as already described for FIGS. 12 and 13.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a repetitiousassembly arrangement incorporating the features of the apparatus justdescribed for a single cap assembly. In addition, one or more of theassembling operations described for stations I, II and III may beperformed simultaneously in order to increase the number of assembliesproduced per unit time, and/or performed at the same station. Thus oneor more stations, as described may be eliminated.

It will be understood that while the foregoing embodiments of theinvention have been described principally with respect to a tear-type orripcap, the invention is not limited thereto, as other forms of cap mayreadily be used, such as a screw-on cap or a tear-band cap or a snap-oncap. Of course, whatever adaptations of the bottle neck may be advisablefor use of such other forms of cap such as forming threads on the bottleneck to cooperate with threads on the cap may readily be devised withoutdeparting form the invention.

The embodiments of the invention particularly disclosed are thuspresented merely as examples of the invention. Other embodiments, formsand modifications of the invention coming within the proper scope of theappended claims will of course readily suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use with a liquid container having a mouth, comprisinga flexible nipple, means for mounting said nipple on said containermouth, an exterior cap structure cooperating with and holding saidnipple in a compressed position, and means both engaging the interior ofsaid cap structure and removably contacting the nipple, when assembled,for moving said nipple into a usable position upon removal of saidmoving means form contact with the nipple, said nipple including anupper feeding portion and an integral base flared portion, said movingmeans comprising a removable member including a substantially flat topportion having upper and lower surfaces and means joined to said topportion for frictionally engaging said nipple upper feeding portion,said means for frictionally engaging said upper feeding portionincluding a plurality of spaced depending members each having aninterior surface and an exterior surface terminating at a lower end,said spaced depending members extending from and defining a generallycircular central area of said removable member top portion lowersurface.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said depending member innersurface engages said upper feeding portion and said outer surfaceengages said base flared portion in an assembled condition, said upperfeeding portion further engaging said central area in said assembledcondition.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said top portion is formedwith at least one hole therethrough, said hole being disposed adjacentsaid depending members outside said central area.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an insert portionsof which are disposed within said base flared portion of said nipple,said insert including a central section, and a resilient annular portionintegral with the central section and including inwardly extending lugmembers adapted for contact with external portions of the mouth of theliquid contamer.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said resilient annularportion includes a plurality of spaced depending legs each of which isformed with one of said lug members.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an insertincluding an annular portion formed with at least one aperturetherethrough, said annular portion being disposed within said nipplebase flared portion and held in sealing relationship therein by interiorsurfaces of said base flared portion.

7. Apparatus for use with a liquid container having a mouth, comprisinga flexible nipple, means for mounting said nipple on said containermouth, an exterior cap structure cooperating with and holding saidnipple in a compressed position, and means both engaging the interior ofsaid cap structure and removably contacting the nipple, when assembled,for moving said nipple into a usable position upon removal of saidmoving means from contact with the nipple, said nipple including anupper feeding portion and an integral base flared portion, said movingmeans comprising a removable member including a substantially flat topportion having upper and lower surfaces and means joined to said topportion for frictionally engaging said nipple upper feeding portion,said removable member including a depending generally cylindricalperipheral portion joined to the top portion which matingly fits withinsaid exterior cap structure such that said peripheral portion engagesthe interior of said exterior cap structure over substantially itsentire periphery.

8. A nipple assembly for use with both an exterior cap structure or thelike and a liquid container having a mouth portion formed with anexterior groove, comprising a hollow flexible body portion havinginterior and exterior surfaces and being formed with an opening throughan uppermost part thereof, means for mounting the hollow body portion onsaid mouth, and peripheral skirt means integral with and extendingoutwardly from said exterior surface for engaging interior portions ofthe cap structure, for holding said body portion and the cap structurein a relatively tight-sealing relationship with respect to one another,and an insert having an annular portion formed with at least oneaperture therethrough, said annular portion being disposed within saidnipple hollow body portion.

9, A nipple assembly according to claim 8, wherein said mounting meansincludes an annular rib on the interior bottom of said nipple forengaging the exterior groove on the mouth portion of the container.

10. Apparatus for use with a nipple having an upper feeding portion andan integral base flared portion, comprising a removeable memberincluding, a substantially flat top portion having upper and lowersurfaces, a depending generally cylindrical peripheral portion joined tosaid top portion, and means joined to said top portion for frictionallyengaging the upper feeding portion, said engaging means including aplurality of spaced depending members.

11 Apparatus for use with a nipple having an upper feeding portion andan integral base flared portion, comprising a removable memberincluding, a substantially flat top portion having upper and lowersurfaces, a depending generally cylindrical peripheral portion joined tosaid top portion, and means joined to said top portion for frictionallyengaging the upper feeding portion including a plurality of spaceddepending members each having an interior surface and an exteriorsurface terminating at a lower end, said spaced depending membersextending from and defining a generally circular central area of saidremovable member'top portion lower surface.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said removable membercomprises means adapted to engage said upper feeding portion and formoving it from a stored position into a usable position.

13. Feeding apparatus, comprising a liquid container formed with amouth, a flexible nipple, means for mounting said nipple on saidcontainer mouth, a removable exterior cap structure cooperating with andholding said nipple in a compressed position on said container, andmeans both engaging the interior of said cap structure and removablycontacting said nipple, when assembled, for moving said nipple from saidcompressed position into a usable position upon removal of the movingmeans from contact with the nipple and an insert within said nipple andapertured adjacent its periphery, and means on said nipple for retainingan edge of said insert with its aperture communicating with both theinterior of the nipple and the interior of the container when the nippleis in a usable position, said cap structure cooperating with said nippleand said container to sealably force the insert against the mouth ofsaid container, thereby sealing said insert against said mouth when saidcap structure is in a sealed position.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said moving means isaffixed to the interior of the cap structure and comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive material affixed to a surface of said cap incontact with thenipple.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said adhesive material isnondegradable at steam sterilization temperatures and has a first bondto the cap and asecond bond to the nipple, said first bond having agreater strength that said second bond. I

16. Feeding apparatus, comprising a liquid container formed with amouth, a flexible nipple, means for mounting said nipple on saidcontainer mouth, a removable exterior cap structure cooperating with andholding said nipple in a compressed position on said container, andmeans both engaging the interior of said cap structure and removablycontacting said nipple,-when assembled, for moving said nipple from saidcompressed position into a usable position upon removal of the movingmeans with from contact with the nipple, an insert having portionsdisposed within said nipple and including a central imperforate section,a sidewall downwardly depending from said central section, said insertbeing formed with at least one aperture adjacent the periphery of saidcentral station; means on .said nipple for positioning said insertsidewall in engagement with an inner wall of said nipple adjacent thelower edge thereof and with said aperture in communication with both theinterior of said nipple and the interior of the container when thenipple is mounted on-said container mouth and in an erect position andinsert serving to spread said nipple when mounting said nipple on themouth of the container said exterior cap structure cooperating with saidnipple holding said insert against the mouth of said container, therebysealing said container mouth when said cap structure is on saidcontainer mouth in closed condition.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means responsiveto removal of said cap structure from said container for causing saidinsert to move away from said container mouth.

18. A cap and nipple assembly, according to claim 16, wherein said meansfor positioning the insert sidewall comprises a flexible flange integralwith and extending inwardly from a base of said nipple, said insertfurther including inwardly extending base portions integral with saidsidewall, said inwardly extending base portions engaging said flexibleflange.

19. Apparatus for use with a liquid container having a mouth, comprisingan insert including a central imperforate section adapted to overliesaid mouth and to close said mouth when said central section is pressedagainst said mouth, said insert having an apertured section surroundingsaid central section and adapted to allow fluid flow between theinterior of said container and the exterior of said insert when saidcentral section is not pressed against said mouth, said insert alsohaving inwardly turned flange means at the peripheral edge of saidapertured section for retaining said insert on said container in saidlatter position permitting said fluid flow.

20. Apparatus according to claim-l9, wherein said apertured sectioncomprises a plurality of legs spaced around and downwardly dependingfrom an edge of said central section.

21. Apparatus according to claim 119 for use with the liquid containerand for further use with a. nipple having a hollow flexible body portionformed with initerior surfaces, wherein said apertured section isadapted to be disposed within the hollow nipple body portion and held insealing relationship with the body portion by said interior surfaces.

1. Apparatus for use with a liquid container having a mouth, comprisinga flexible nipple, means for mounting said nipple on said containermouth, an exterior cap structure cooperating with and holding saidnipple in a compressed position, and means both engaging the interior ofsaid cap structure and removably contacting the nipple, when assembled,for moving said nipple into a usable position upon removal of saidmoving means form contact with the nipple, said nipple including anupper feeding portion and an integral base flared portion, said movingmeans comprising a removable member including a substantially flat topportion having upper and lower surfaces and means joined to said topportion for frictionally engaging said nipple upper feeding portion,said means for frictionally engaging said upper feeding portionincluding a plurality of spaced depending members each having aninterior surface and an exterior surface terminating at a lower end,said spaced depending members extending from and defining a generallycircular central area of said removable member top portion lowersurface.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dependingmember inner surface engages said upper feeding portion and said outersurface engages said base flared portion in an assembled condition, saidupper feeding portion further engaging said central area in saidassembled condition.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said topportion is formed with at least one hole therethrough, said hole beingdisposed adjacent said depending members outside said central area. 4.Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an insert portions ofwhich are disposed within said base flared portion of said nipple, saidinsert including a central section, and a resilient annular portionintegral with the central section and including inwardly extending lugmembers adapted for contact with external portions of the mouth of theliquid containeR.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein saidresilient annular portion includes a plurality of spaced depending legseach of which is formed with one of said lug members.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 3, further comprising an insert including an annularportion formed with at least one aperture therethrough, said annularportion being disposed within said nipple base flared portion and heldin sealing relationship therein by interior surfaces of said base flaredportion.
 7. Apparatus for use with a liquid container having a mouth,comprising a flexible nipple, means for mounting said nipple on saidcontainer mouth, an exterior cap structure cooperating with and holdingsaid nipple in a compressed position, and means both engaging theinterior of said cap structure and removably contacting the nipple, whenassembled, for moving said nipple into a usable position upon removal ofsaid moving means from contact with the nipple, said nipple including anupper feeding portion and an integral base flared portion, said movingmeans comprising a removable member including a substantially flat topportion having upper and lower surfaces and means joined to said topportion for frictionally engaging said nipple upper feeding portion,said removable member including a depending generally cylindricalperipheral portion joined to the top portion which matingly fits withinsaid exterior cap structure such that said peripheral portion engagesthe interior of said exterior cap structure over substantially itsentire periphery.
 8. A nipple assembly for use with both an exterior capstructure or the like and a liquid container having a mouth portionformed with an exterior groove, comprising a hollow flexible bodyportion having interior and exterior surfaces and being formed with anopening through an uppermost part thereof, means for mounting the hollowbody portion on said mouth, and peripheral skirt means integral with andextending outwardly from said exterior surface for engaging interiorportions of the cap structure, for holding said body portion and the capstructure in a relatively tight-sealing relationship with respect to oneanother, and an insert having an annular portion formed with at leastone aperture therethrough, said annular portion being disposed withinsaid nipple hollow body portion. 9, A nipple assembly according to claim8, wherein said mounting means includes an annular rib on the interiorbottom of said nipple for engaging the exterior groove on the mouthportion of the container.
 10. Apparatus for use with a nipple having anupper feeding portion and an integral base flared portion, comprising aremoveable member including, a substantially flat top portion havingupper and lower surfaces, a depending generally cylindrical peripheralportion joined to said top portion, and means joined to said top portionfor frictionally engaging the upper feeding portion, said engaging meansincluding a plurality of spaced depending members. 11 Apparatus for usewith a nipple having an upper feeding portion and an integral baseflared portion, comprising a removable member including, a substantiallyflat top portion having upper and lower surfaces, a depending generallycylindrical peripheral portion joined to said top portion, and meansjoined to said top portion for frictionally engaging the upper feedingportion including a plurality of spaced depending members each having aninterior surface and an exterior surface terminating at a lower end,said spaced depending members extending from and defining a generallycircular central area of said removable member top portion lowersurface.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said removablemember comprises means adapted to engage said upper feeding portion andfor moving it from a stored position into a usable position.
 13. Feedingapparatus, comprising a liquid container formed with a mouth, a flexiblenipple, means for mounting said nipple on said container mouth, aremovable exterior caP structure cooperating with and holding saidnipple in a compressed position on said container, and means bothengaging the interior of said cap structure and removably contactingsaid nipple, when assembled, for moving said nipple from said compressedposition into a usable position upon removal of the moving means fromcontact with the nipple and an insert within said nipple and aperturedadjacent its periphery, and means on said nipple for retaining an edgeof said insert with its aperture communicating with both the interior ofthe nipple and the interior of the container when the nipple is in ausable position, said cap structure cooperating with said nipple andsaid container to sealably force the insert against the mouth of saidcontainer, thereby sealing said insert against said mouth when said capstructure is in a sealed position.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13,wherein said moving means is affixed to the interior of the capstructure and comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive material affixedto a surface of said cap in contact with the nipple.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein said adhesive material is nondegradableat steam sterilization temperatures and has a first bond to the cap anda second bond to the nipple, said first bond having a greater strengththat said second bond.
 16. Feeding apparatus, comprising a liquidcontainer formed with a mouth, a flexible nipple, means for mountingsaid nipple on said container mouth, a removable exterior cap structurecooperating with and holding said nipple in a compressed position onsaid container, and means both engaging the interior of said capstructure and removably contacting said nipple, when assembled, formoving said nipple from said compressed position into a usable positionupon removal of the moving means with from contact with the nipple, aninsert having portions disposed within said nipple and including acentral imperforate section, a sidewall downwardly depending from saidcentral section, said insert being formed with at least one apertureadjacent the periphery of said central station; means on said nipple forpositioning said insert sidewall in engagement with an inner wall ofsaid nipple adjacent the lower edge thereof and with said aperture incommunication with both the interior of said nipple and the interior ofthe container when the nipple is mounted on said container mouth and inan erect position and insert serving to spread said nipple when mountingsaid nipple on the mouth of the container said exterior cap structurecooperating with said nipple holding said insert against the mouth ofsaid container, thereby sealing said container mouth when said capstructure is on said container mouth in closed condition.
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 further comprising means responsive to removal ofsaid cap structure from said container for causing said insert to moveaway from said container mouth.
 18. A cap and nipple assembly, accordingto claim 16, wherein said means for positioning the insert sidewallcomprises a flexible flange integral with and extending inwardly from abase of said nipple, said insert further including inwardly extendingbase portions integral with said sidewall, said inwardly extending baseportions engaging said flexible flange.
 19. Apparatus for use with aliquid container having a mouth, comprising an insert including acentral imperforate section adapted to overlie said mouth and to closesaid mouth when said central section is pressed against said mouth, saidinsert having an apertured section surrounding said central section andadapted to allow fluid flow between the interior of said container andthe exterior of said insert when said central section is not pressedagainst said mouth, said insert also having inwardly turned flange meansat the peripheral edge of said apertured section for retaining saidinsert on said container in said latter position permitting said fluidflow.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said aperturedsection comprises a plurality of legs spaced around and downwardlydepending from an edge of said central section.
 21. Apparatus accordingto claim 19 for use with the liquid container and for further use with anipple having a hollow flexible body portion formed with interiorsurfaces, wherein said apertured section is adapted to be disposedwithin the hollow nipple body portion and held in sealing relationshipwith the body portion by said interior surfaces.